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  • AEM7 Disposition (and other motors - HHP8)

  • Discussion related to Amtrak also known as the National Railroad Passenger Corp.
Discussion related to Amtrak also known as the National Railroad Passenger Corp.

Moderators: GirlOnTheTrain, mtuandrew, Tadman

 #1213550  by Tadman
 
There's been a lot of chatter about the soon-to-be-retired toasters and the possibility of sending some to Septa or Marc. Given that the toastersare probably going to be scrapped after the ACS fleet arrives, would it make sense to even trade any Amtrak-owned motors that are in really good shape for commuter motors that are in especially bad shape? Either way 100t of metal goes to the torch and Amtrak gets their $40k for the scrap (figured at $0.20/lb per metalprices.com) Further, both Amtrak and commuter fleets were probably bought with some/all federal money, so it ensures the federal money goes the longest way possible.
 #1213552  by DutchRailnut
 
technically possible but chance of it happening are slim to non.
main reason AEM's are being retired is lack of parts.
 #1213554  by amtrakhogger
 
Tadman wrote:There's been a lot of chatter about the soon-to-be-retired toasters and the possibility of sending some to Septa or Marc. Given that the toastersare probably going to be scrapped after the ACS fleet arrives, would it make sense to even trade any Amtrak-owned motors that are in really good shape for commuter motors that are in especially bad shape? Either way 100t of metal goes to the torch and Amtrak gets their $40k for the scrap (figured at $0.20/lb per metalprices.com) Further, both Amtrak and commuter fleets were probably bought with some/all federal money, so it ensures the federal money goes the longest way possible.
Not to be picky, but there is a lot of copper in the locomotive as well and that fetches $2.00+ per pound. (Prices found on a NJ scrapyard site.)
 #1213555  by Tadman
 
Both good points - All I'm trying to say is that, at the end of the day, does Amtrak really care if they scrap a rolling total of an AEM7 that Marc/Septa owns, a nice one that they own? They get the same amount of money.
 #1213556  by DutchRailnut
 
Amtrak does not care, but just repainting unit will set you back $10k add to that modifications needed for push/pull or cars its to operate with.
 #1213565  by lirr42
 
DutchRailnut wrote:Amtrak does not care, but just repainting unit will set you back $10k add to that modifications needed for push/pull or cars its to operate with.
Or they can do what ConnDOT did...just paint over the logos and do no maintenance until the thing is belching black smoke.
 #1213567  by DutchRailnut
 
you forget the AEM7 was not built to do Push/pull so modifications still cost a arm and leg and there still are no more spare parts.
 #1213573  by NHAirLine
 
How do they have to be modified for push/pull?

EDIT: Don't the Keystone trains run push/pull with Toasters?
 #1213576  by DutchRailnut
 
sanders, door light interlock, remote resets etc.
as for keystones only few AEM-7's were modified.
 #1213588  by ApproachMedium
 
Dont expect to see that happen ever either. Amtrak experimented with turning the 915 in to push pull to make more DC engines available for Harrisburg service. Needless to say it was a complete disaster because the original units were wired slightly different than the ones that were manufactured by a different outfit (945-953, 45 does not do PP), specifically with MU push pull capabilities. That 915 has spent many months being a headache for mechanical forces and still has its quirks. On top of that I must remind you all that NO spare parts are being made for these things anymore other than whatever the amtrak electrical shop can rebuild or repair on their own. Also the transformer company that was overhauling/replacing the transformers has ceased operations of rebuilding the unit used in these locomotives because its beyond out of date and obsolete. So without that, these things are not going to be valuable to any transit company that needs power, unless they intend to buy one for parts.

And I am speaking of the DC AEM-7s specifically. You wont see any of the AC remans going anywhere anytime soon.
 #1213592  by Matt Johnson
 
All of NJ Transit's ALP-44's (32 of them I believe) are retired and sitting in storage. I don't know if they have any parts commonality with the AEM-7's, but there are about to be a whole lot of electric locomotives available when the AEM-7's and potentially the HHP-8's get retired. Any chance they could end up in Estonia?
 #1213606  by ApproachMedium
 
Virtually everything between the two machine room walls of the AEM-7 and ALP44 is the same, there are only some minor differences in the brakes and on the M models, the computer instead of control cards. Septa and Amtrak would have to be pretty hard pressed to put another AEM-7 back on the road after blowing a transformer if they had to buy an ALP just for that part.
 #1213615  by mtuandrew
 
Nasadowsk wrote:
Any chance they could end up in Estonia?
No.
Especially since the only electrification in Estonia uses 3kv dc. :P

Also, assuming there was any interest in used passenger motors, why wouldn't a buyer/lessee first approach NJT and ask about their considerably newer ALP-44 fleet? Are Amtrak's AEM-7DCs better maintained despite their age? Would the non-running status of the ALP-44s make them less attractive for some reason? (Note: I am NOT advocating such usage, just asking!)
 #1213624  by R36 Combine Coach
 
In the case of the ALP44s, the newest models (the Microprocessor units delivered in late 1996/early 1997) have been reported as having more problems that the earlier 1990 models, and the latter were favored as work motors.
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